One of the “Circles of Hell” in Dante’s “Inferno” is a hangover when you have kids.
And if you’re a degenerate parent like me, you felt seen listening to Caitlyn Smith’s interview on the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast. When asked about her best strategies for battling a hangover with young kids, Smith went straight to “Adventure Bay:”
“Hold on, Mommy just needs to put on some ‘Paw Patrol’ right now.”
Caitlyn was referring to the hit, computer-animated series from Nickelodeon featuring a crew of puppies who rescue a hapless community with their special tools and vehicles. I have seen many an episode slumped on the floor with kids screaming unnecessarily loud requests into my pounding head. And now, thanks to talented singer-songwriter and rising star, Caitlyn Smith, I know that I’m not alone.
As Caitlyn so eloquently described parenting-while-hungover,
“I’m no longer in this stage where I can sleep this off until noon. I’ve gotta make breakfast, I’ve gotta get people dressed. People are counting on me.”
And she’s right. When you’re a parent, you can’t afford to be less than 100% when your precious, demonic spawn burst from their bedrooms demanding food, attention, and unconditional love. If you had a big night out with the boys, too bad. You’ve got to suck it up, crush that coffee, make that breakfast, and fire up ‘Paw Patrol,’ one of the many shows that can transform your kids into peaceful zombies while you get your life together on the couch.
“Cool Mom” Caitlyn Smith gets it. And it’s validating for me to hear a rising country star mix some authentic, uncomfortable, parenting truths into her discussions about her new album, “High.”
But don’t let the power of “Paw Patrol” lure you into having that one extra round you’ll regret. Whether or not you have kids, the best way to fight a hangover is to avoid one. Drink responsibly, moms and dads.
Or, once the kids are in bed, choose a different kind of nightcap, straight out of the Caitlyn Smith Book of Real Life Parenting:
“I’m a mom of two young children, and one of my favorite places to go at night is my edibles.”
And on that note, check out the highly relevant title track from her new album:
She returned to the podcast for the second time to talk about her new studio album, ‘High,’ taking a shot with George Strait and Vince Vaughn, getting through a hangover when you have young kids, one of the craziest moments she’s experienced during a show, opening for (and getting high with) Willie Nelson, writing with Miley Cyrus, and more.
Download the podcast on Apple Podcasts by searching “Whiskey Riff Raff” or click here.
We’re also available on Spotify and wherever else you can listen to podcasts.
Cheers, y’all.
